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EEPOKT 

OP 

LEWIS 11. STEINER, M. D, 



Inspector 0f tk Sanxtarn ^ommbsian, 



CONTAINING A 



DIARY 



DURING THE REBEL OCCUPATION OF FREDERICK, MD. 



AN ACCOUNT OF THE OPERATIONS 



THE U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION 



THE CAMPAIGN IN MARYLAND, .>^^ 
SEPTEMBER, 18S2. ^<r^-rrr 



^ublisfetJi is permission of t{)£ Sanitarj ©ommission. 



NEW YORK: j 
A N S O X D . F . RANDOLPH, 

No. G83 BROADWAY. 
1862. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, 

By ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH,' 

In the Clerk's OfEce of the District Court of the United States for tlie Southern 

District of New York. 



EDWAPvD 0. JENKINS, 

printer anB Stcrcotgpcr, 
No. 20 NoBTii "WiLLi-iM St. 



The following report of Dr. Steiner, while it embodies facts and 
incidents which illustrate the work of the Sanitaey Commission, did 
not seein properly to come within the limits of official publication. 
As a part of the history of the war, possessing more than ordinary 
value, it was thought desirable that it should be given to the public, 
as a private venture, without cost to the treasury of the Commission. 



^ 



REPORT. 



Frederick L. Olmsted, Esq., 

Secretary U. S. Sanitary Commission: 

In accordance with your request, I have the honor to trans- 
mit an account of my operations as Sanitary Inspector during 
the hist month. The engagements which crowd so thickly 
upon me just now, prevent that careful preparation which a 
report, including incidents of such deep interest to every Amer- 
ican, should receive from the reporter. The best that I can 
do is to give you as faithful an account as my diary and recol- 
lections, and the reports of other officers of the Commission, 
will enable me, in as few words as possible, deprecating all 
criticism of its style and finish. 

On reporting for duty in Washington at the end of August, 
I arrived the day of the battle at Bull Run. The urgent neces- 
sities of the wounded demanding instant attention, at the sug- 
gestion of Dr. Jenkins, Associate Secretary, I went out in the 
ambulance train on Saturday and remained until Sunday even- 
ing. The report of my visit was handed in to Dr. J. shortly 
after my return. 

The remaining portion of the first week of the month was 
occupied in examining the U. S. Military Hospital, known as 
the Soldiers' Home. A report embodying the result of my 
examination has been heretofore submitted. 

Friday, September 5. — Left Washington at 6 o'clock, under 
the impression that the Confederate army had crossed the 
Potomac the preceding evening and were then in Frederick. 
Anxiety as to the fate of mv friends, as well as to the general 



6 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

treatment my native place would receive at rebel hands, made 
the trip by no means a pleasant one. 

Along the road, at different stopping-places, reports reached 
us as to the numbers of the Confederates that had crossed into 
Maryland. The passengers began to entertain fears that the 
train would not be able to reach Frederick. These were, how- 
ever, quieted by a telegram received at a station near Mon- 
rovia, which announced the road open. Arriving at 12 o'clock, 
M., I found the town full of surmises and rumors. Such in- 
formation had been received by the Post Quarter Master and 
the Surgeon in charge of Hospital, that they were busy all the 
afternoon making arrangements to move off their valuable 
stores. The citizens were in the greatest trepidation. Inva- 
sion by the Southern army was considered equivalent to de- 
struction. Impressment into the ranks as common soldiers, or 
immurement in a Southern prison — these were not attractive 
prospects for quiet. Union-loving citizens ! 

Towards nightfall it became pretty certain that a force had 
crossed somewhere about the mouth of the Monocacy. Tele- 
grams were crowding rapidly on the army officers located here, 
directing that what stores coukl not be removed should be 
burned, and that the sick should as far as possible be sent on 
to Pennsylvania. Here began a scene of terror seldom wit- 
nessed in this region. Lieut. Castle, A. Q. M., burned a large 
quantity of his stores at the depot. Assist. Surg. "Weir fired 
his store-house on the Hospital grounds and burned the most 
valuable of his surplus bedding contained in Kemp Hall, in 
Church street near Market. Many of our prominent citizens, 
fearing impressment, left their families and started for Penn- 
sylvania in carriages, on horseback, and on foot. All the con- 
valescents at the Hospital that could bear the fatigue, were 
started also for Pennsylvania, in charge of Hospital Steward 
Cox. The citizens removed their trunks containing private 
papers and other valuables from the bank-vaults, under the 



KEPORT OF Drw. LEWIS H. STEINER. 7 

firm belief that an attack would be made on these buildhigs 
for the sake of the specie contained in them, . 

About 1^ o'clock, A. M., it was ascertained that Jackson's 
force — the advance guard of the Southern army — was encamp- 
ed on Moffat's farm, near Buckeystown, and that this force 
would enter Frederick after daylight; for what purpose no 
one knew. Having possession of this amount of information, 
I retired about two o'clock, being willing to wait the sequel, 
whatever it might be. 

Saturday, September 6. — Found, on visiting the market in 
the morning, that a veiy large number of our citizens had 
" skedaddled''^ (i. e. retired rapidly in good order) last night. 
Every mouth was full of rumors as to the numbers, where- 
abouts, and whatabouts of the Confederate force. One old 
gentleman, whose attachment to McClellan has become pro- 
verbial, declared tliat it was an impossibility for the rebels to 
cross the Potomac ; and another, who looks upon Banks as the 
greatest of generals, declared that Banks' force had been taken 
for Confederates, and that the supposed enemies were friends. 

At length uncertainty was changed into certainty. About 
nine o'clock two seedy-looking individuals rode up Market 
street as fast as their jaded animals could carry themi. Their 
dress was a dirty, faded gray, their arms I'usty and seemingl}^ 
uncared for, their general appearance raffish or vagabondish. 
They shouted for Jeff. Davis at the intersection of Patrick and 
Market street, and then riding to the intersection of Church 
and Market, repeated the same strange IwhWawi shout. ISTo one 
expressing an opinion as to the propriety or impropriety of 
this proceeding, they countermarched and trotted down the 
street. Then followed some fifty or a hundred horsemen, hav- 
ing among them Bradley T. Johnson, soi~disant Colonel C. S. A. 
These were received with feeble shouts from some secession- 
sympathizers. They said, "the time of your deliverance has 
come." It was plain that tJie deliverance they meant was from 



8 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

the rule of law and order. The sidewalks were filled with 
Union-loving citizens, who felt keenly that their humiliation 
was at hand, and that they had no course but submission, at 
least for a time. 

As this force of cavalry entered the town from the south, 
Capt. Yellot's company retreated west from the town, and dis- 
appeared no one knew whither. One ruffian cavalry soldier 
rode up to Sergt. Crocker (in charge of hospital stores in Kemp 
Hall) and accosted him with "Sa-ay, are you a Yankee?" 
" ]^o, I am a Marylander." " What are you doing in the 
Yankee army ?" " I belong to the United States army," said 
the old man, proudly. " If you don't come along with me, I'll 
cut your head off." Having waved his sabre over the unarmed 
old man's head, he demanded his keys, and rode off with the 
sergeant as a prisoner. This display of chivalry did not infuse 
great admiration of the Southern army into the hearts of the 
bystanders. 

A force of cavalry entered the hospital grounds and took 
possession of hospital and contents. All the sick were care- 
fully paroled, not excepting one poor fellow then in a mori- 
bund condition. After some hours, the medical officers and 
liospital stewards M^ere allowed to go about town on passes. 

At ten o'clock Jackson's advance force, consisting of some 
five thousand men, marched up Market street and encamped 
north of the town. They had but little music ; what there was 
gave us "My Maryland" and Dixie in execrable style. Each 
regiment had a square red flag, witli a cross, made of diago- 
nal blue stripes extending from opposite corners : on these 
blue stripes were placed thirteen white stars. A dirtier, 
filthier, more unsavory set of human beings n.ever strolled 
through a town — marching it could not be called without do- 
ing violence to the word. The distinctions of rank were recog- 
nized on the coat collars of officers ; but all were alike dirty 
and repulsive. Their arms were rusty and in an unsoldierly 



EEPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 9 

condition. Their uniforms, or rather mnltiforms, corresponded 
only in a sliglit predominance of grey over butternut, and in 
the prevalence of filth. Faces looked as if they had not been 
acquainted with water for weeks : hair, shaggy and unkempt, 
seemed entirely a stranger to the operations of brush or comb, 
A raotlier group was never herded together. But these were 
the chivalry — the deliverers of Maryland from Lincoln's op- 
pressive yoke. 

During the afternoon a Provost Marslial was appointed for 
the town, and he occupied the same office which had been the 
headquarters of the U. S. Provost Marshal. Guards were 
posted along our streets, and pickets on the roads leading from 
Frederick. Our stores were soon thronged with crowds. The 
shoe stores were most patronized, as many of their men were 
shoeless and stockingless. The only money most of them had 
was Confederate scrip, or shinplasters issued by banks, corpo- 
rations, individuals, etc. — all of equal value. To use the ex- 
pi'ession of an old citizen " the notes depreciated the paper on 
which they were printed." The crowded condition of the 
stores enabled some of the chivalry to take what they wanted, 
(confiscate is the technical expression,) without going through 
the formality of even handing over Confederate rags in ex- 
change. But guards were placed at the stores wherever re- 
quested, and only a few men allowed to enter at a time. Even 
this arrangement proved inadequate, and the stores were soon 
necessarily closed. The most intense hatred seems to have 
been encouraged and fostered in the men's hearts towards 
Union people, or Yankees as they style them ; and this word 
Yankee is employed with any and every manner of emphasis 
possible to indicate contempt and bitterness. The men have 
been made to believe that " to kill a Yankee" is to do a duty 
imperatively imposed on them. The following incident will 
illustrate this : A gentleman was called aside, while talking 
with some ladies, by an officer who wished information as to 



10 THE SANITARr COMMISSION. 

shoes. He said he was iu want of shoes for his men, tliat he 
had United States money if the dealers were so foohsh as to 
prefer it, or lie would procure them gold ; but if they wouldn't 
sell he was satisfied to wait until they reached Baltimore, 
where he had no doubt but that shoes in quantity could be 
procured. No reply was made. Changing the subject, he 
inquired how the men were behaving. The answer was very 
well '^ there was no complaint, although some few had been 
seen intoxicated on the street. " Who gave them the liquor," 
said the officer. "Townsmen who sympathize with you and 
desire to show their love for you." "The only way to do 
that," said the officer, " is to kill a Yankee : kill a Yankee, 
sir, if you want to please a Southerner." This was uttered 
with all imaginable expression of vindictiveness and venom. 

Our houses were besieged by hungry soldiers and officers. 
They ate everything oifered them with a greediness that fully 
sustained the truth of their statement, that their entire subsist- 
ence lately had h^QW rjreen corn, uncooked^ and eaten directly from 
the stalk. Union families freely gave such food as they had. 
" If thine enemy hunger, feed him," seemed the principle acted 
on by our good people. But few of our secession citizens 
aided them. They seemed ashamed of their Southern breth- 
ren. The Union people stood out for their principles, and 
took care to remind them that they were getting their food 
from those they had come to destroy. A gentleman relates 
the following: "In the evening, after having had one of their 
officers to tea — one whom I had known in former days — two 
officers came to the door and begged that something might be 
given them for which tliey wished to pay. On giving them 
the last biscuits in the house, one of them offered pay. The 
reply was, 'No sir, whenever you meet a Federal soldier want- 
ing food, recollect that a Union man in Frederick gave you 
the last morsel of food in his house when you were famishing.' 
The officer's face flushed up, and he replied, ' You are right, 



EEPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 11 

sir, I am very, very mucli obliged to you.' Tlie coals of fire 
had been heaped on his head." 

Outrages were committed on the National flag wlienever one 
fell into the hands of the soldiers. These simply strengthened 
the Union feeling, and made the men and women of Frederick 
more attached than ever to the Kational cause for which their 
fathers had fought and died. Stauncher, stouter, stronger did 
Unionism in Frederick grow with each passing hour. We 
were conquered, not enslaved, — humiliated greatly with the 
thought that rebel feet were pressing on our soil, but not dis- 
posed to bow the knee to Baal. 

An attack on the Examiner Printing Office being antici- 
pated, a small guard was placed at the door. About nine 
o'clock, r. M., a rush was made on the guard b}' some of the 
Southern soldiers, the door was driven in and the contents of 
the office thrown into the street. W. G. Ross, Esq., a prom- 
inent lawyer of Frederick, called on the Provost Marshal, who 
soon arrived with a strong force, suppressed the riot, and, 
having obliged the rioters to return every thing belonging to 
the office, put them in the guard-house. During the contin- 
uance of this disturbance, the oaths and imprecations were 
terrific. Every one in the neighborhood expected that a gen- 
eral attack would be made on the Union houses. Fortunately, 
a quiet night ensued. 

Sunday, September 7. — The rebels obliged most of our 
shoe-stores to be kept open during the day so that their men 
could obtain shoes. The reign of terror continued, although 
no personal violence was done to any citizen. Pickets are 
posted miles out of town. The main body of rebel troops is 
said to be encamped about Urbana. General Robert E. Lee 
is in command, and there are three divisions or, it may be, 
four, commanded by Jackson, Longstreet, D. II. Hill, and 
some one else. Forage is obtained by taking it and offering 
Confederate notes in payment. 



12 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

At the Evangelical Reformed Church, the pastor, Eev. Dr. 
Daniel Zacharias, oifered np prayers for the President of the 
United States, notwithstanding the presence of a number of 
Confederate officers. In the evening General Jackson vras 
seen asleep in the same church. 

The Commissioner for the Enrolment of the State Militia 
was seized to-day and made to hand over the enrolment- 
books. Ko further requirement was made of him, except that 
he should report himself daily at the office of the Provost- 
Marshal. 

During the afternoon one of those incredible incidents oc- 
curred, which have been occasionally reported in our papers, 
but have always been disbelieved by those who have faith in 
the humanity of rebels. Several young ladies were standing 
in front of the house of one of our prominent citizens, when a 
rebel officer rode up and, halting his horse, said, "Ladies, 
allow me to make you a present. This is a ring made from 
the 'bone of a dead YankeeP A gentleman, near the curb, 
seized the article before the officer had finished speaking and 
handed it to the ladies, who quickly answered, "Keep your 
present for those who appreciate sucJi presents." The only 
reply of the chivalry was, "Ah ! I supposed you were Southern 
ladies ! " This incident is instructive. 

Monday, September 8. — General Robert E. Lee issues a 
proclamation, announcing that the Southern Army enters 
Maryland to restore her to freedom, that she has been down- 
trodden for a long time, and that her Sister States of the 
Southern Confederacy have sworn to set her free from the 
influence of IsTorthern bayonets, — free to decide for herself 
whether she will go with the South or no, — and promising 
protection to all of whatever opinion. Colonel B. T. Johnson, 
emulating the example of his superior officer, calls upon the 
citizens to unite in forming companies and regiments to join 
the Confederate States Army. Captain E. Y. "White announ- 



REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 13 

ces that he is empowered to raise a regiment of cavah-y. 
Mr, Heard (former Editor of the Frederick Herald — a seces- 
sion paper) issues a card calling for recruits to a company he 
is forming. Thus we are flooded with proclamations. These 
are inserted here as important parts of the diary of Kebel 
occupation of Frederick. 



LEE'S PROCLAMATION. 

Head-Quarters Army N. Va., ) 

Near Frederich Town, 8th September, 1862. \ 

To THE People of Maryland : 

It is right that you should know the purpose that has 
brought the Army under my command within the limits of 
your State, so far as that purpose concerns yourselves. 

The People of the Confederate States have long watched 
with the deepest sympathy the wrongs and outrages that have 
been inflicted upon the citizens of a Commonwealth, allied to 
the States of the South by the strongest social, political and 
commercial ties. 

They have seen with profound indignation their Sister State 
deprived of every right, and reduced to the condition of a 
conquered Province. 

Under the pretence of supporting the Constitution, but in 
violation of its most valuable provisions, your citizens have 
been arrested and imprisoned upon no charges and contrary 
to all forms of law ; the faitliful and manly protest against 
this outrage made by the venerable and illustrious Marylander, 
to M'hom in better days, no citizen appealed for right in vain, 
was treated with scorn and contempt; the government of 
your chief City has been usurped by armed strangers; your 
Legislature has been dissolved by the unlawful arrest of its 
members ; freedom of the press and of speech has been sup- 
pressed ; words have been declared offences by an arbitrary 



14 THE SANITAKY COMMISSION. 

decree of the Federal Executive, and citizens ordered 'to 
be tried by a niilitarj commission for what they may dare to 
speak. 

Believing that the People of Maryland possessed a spirit 
too lofty to submit to such a government, the people of the 
South have long wished to aid you in throwing off this foreign 
yoke, to enable you again to enjoy the inalienable rights of 
freemen, and restore independence and sovereignty to your 
State. 

In obedience to this wish, our Army has come among you, 
and is prepared to assist you with the power of its arms in 
regaining the rights of wliich you have been despoiled. 

This, Citizens of Maryland, is our mission, so far as you 
are concerned. 

'No constraint upon your free will is intended, no intimida- 
tion will be allowed. 

"Within the limits of this Army, at least, Marylanders shall 
once more enjoy their ancient freedom of thought and speech. 

We know no enemies among you, and will protect all of 
every opinion. 

It is for you to decide your destiny freely and without 
constraint. 

This Army will respect your choice whatever it may be, 
and while the Southern people will rejoice to welcome you 
to your natural position among them, they will only welcome 
you when you come of your own free-M'ill. 

R. E. LEE, General Commanding. 



COLONEL B. T. JOHNSON'S PROCLAMATION. 

To THE People of Makylaxd : 

After sixteen montlis of oppression more galling than the 
Austrian tyranny, the victorious Army of the South brings 
freedom to your doors. Its standard now waves from the 



EEPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 15 

Potomac to Mason and Dixon's Line. The men of Maryland, 
who during the last long months have been crushed nnder 
the heel of this terrible despotism, have now an opportunity 
for working out their own redemption, for which they have 
so long waited, and suflered, and hoped. 

The Government of the Confederate States is pledged by 
the nnanimous vote of its Congress, by the distinct declaration 
of its President, the soldier and statesman, Davis, never to 
cease this war until Maryland has the opportunity to decide 
for herself her own fate, nntrammeled by Federal bayonets. 
The people of the South with unanimity unparalleled have 
given their hearts to our native State, and hundreds of thou- 
sands of her sons have sworn with arms in their hands that 
yon shall be free. 

You must now do your part. We have the arms here for 
yon, I am authorized immediately to muster in for the war, 
companies and regiments. The companies of one hundred 
men each. Tlie regiments of ten companies. Come, all who 
wish to strike for their liberties and their homes. Let each 
man provide himself with a stout pair of shoes, a good 
blanket and a tin cup. Jackson's men have no baggage. 

Officers are in Frederick to receive recruits, and all com- 
panies formed will be armed as mustered in. Pise at once. 

Kemember the cells of Fort McIIenry ! Pemember the 
dungeons of Fort Lafayette and Fort Warren ; the insults to 
your wives and daughters, the arrests, the midnight searches 
of your houses ! 

Pemember these your wrongs, and rise at once in arms and 
strike for Liberty and right. 

September 8, 1862. B. T. JOHNSON, Colonel C. S. A. 



J 



16 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

CAPTAIN E. V. WHITE'S PROCLAMATION. 

Maeylanders to the Rescue ! 

I am a Marjlander ! I have been in the service eighteen 
months opposing the tyranny which would have made of the 
South a subjugated and ruined country. I came to Mary- 
land with the Southern Army to do what I can to carry her 
where she belongs — to the Southern Confederacy. I want 
Marylanders to join me. I am authorized to raise a regiment 
of Maryland Cavalry. I have no recruiting office. I can be 
found at General Lawton's headquarters, Vv'here I will be 
happy to receive recruits. Come at once, or make up your 
minds to be slaves to the ISTorthern despotism forever. 

September 8, 1862. E. V. WHITE, Captain, 

Commanding Oen. Laivton''s Body-Guard. 



CAVALEY NOTICE. 

I have been detailed to recruit for Captain White's Cavalry 
Eegiment. All persons desiring to join this far-famed corps 
will apply to me at the Provost Marshal's. 

September 10, 1802. J. M. KILGOUPt. 



JOHN W. HEARD'S PROCLAMATION. 
Men of Old Fkedekic Arouse — Defend your Homes. — 
Under the authority of the Confederate Government, I am 
now engaged in raising a company of infantry. The great 
Army of the South, unconquered and unconquerable, is now 
in your midst, and has determined that Maryland shall be 
free. What say you, Marylanders ? Are you willing to fight 
for the liberties for which you have so long been clamorous, 
or are you so abject as to accept them as a boon at the hands 
of others ? No ! no ! sons of Maryland — inheritors of her 



REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 17 

Eevolutionary glory — by your own right arm achieve the in- 
dependence of your own State. Falter not, hesitate not, now 
that the opportunity is offered you — but rally at once and vin- 
dicate your history. 

d^^^ llecruiting-Office next door to the Provost Marshal's, 
where there will always be found an officer in attendance. 

September 9, 1862. JOHN W. HEARD. 



The supplies in our stores having nearly given out, some of 
the Union merchants resolutely closed their stores to the 
soldiers, and sending for their customers asked them to take 
what tliey required at the usual rates. The wealthiest grocer 
in the town raised the price of coffee to seventj'-iive cents, and 
brown sugar to forty cents per pound, to be paid in gold or in 
our own currency. This outrageous attempt to take advantage 
of the troublous condition of the community has excited con- 
siderable indignation in a quiet way all around. 

TVe are still importuned by the rebels for food. It is fur- 
nished whenever asked, but the Union citizens take care to 
inform them that they are fed by their opponents. How the 
rebels manage to get along no one can tell. They are badly 
clad. Many of them without shoes. Uncleanliness and ver- 
juin are universal. The odor of clothes worn for months, 
saturated with pei'spiration and dirt, is intense and all-pervad- 
ing. They look stout and sturdy, able to endure fatigue, and 
anxious to fight in the cause they have espoused, willingly or 
unwillingly. The movement tliey have now made is believed 
by them to be a desperate one, and they must "see it 
through." They all believe in ihemsdoes as well as in their 
generals, and are terribly in earnest. They assert that they 
have never been whipped, but have di'iven the Yankees before 
them whenever they could find them. They have killed so 
many Yankees and have gloried therein to such an extent that 
one would almost think them veritable Thuo-s. BraG-crine; is 
2 



18 THE SANITAEY COMMISSION. 

a favorite game with them, and they do it well. Their army 
is plainly intended I'or an advance into Pennsylvania, and they 
speak freely of their intention to ti-eat Pennsylvania very dif- 
ferently from Maryland. I fear there will be great destruction 
of property as they move forwards. Many a citizen will lose 
his all of this world's goods in this raid, for devastation is 
meant to be the order or disorder of their march when they 
cross the border. 

Tuesday, September 9. — Recruiting goes on slowly in the 
itown. We are told that three companies are to be raised here. 
It may be so, but one " can't see it." If ever suicide were 
contemplated by any one it must be by those civilians who 
propose to attach themselves to Jackson's corps. Ilis men 
have become inured to hardships by long training, and are 
now on one of their most difficult undertakings. I^ew recruits, 
taken from the comforts of social life, altogether unused to 
hardships, will readily sink under the fatigues of camp and 
field life. 

A clergyman tells me that he saw an aged crone come out 
of her house as certain rebels passed by trailing the American 
flag in the dust. She shook her long, skinny hands at the 
traitors and screamed at the top of her voice, " My curses be 
upon you and your officers for degrading your country's flag." 
Her expression and gesture as described to me were worthy 
of Meg Merilies. 

The Confederates have been seizing horses from our farmers, 
tendering Confederate scrip in payments. They allege mili- 
tarj" necessity in justification of this seizure. Military neces- 
sity is a convenient cloak for any outrage whatever. 

As an ofiset to these operations of the rebels may be men- 
tioned the sale of a horse to a Confederate by a smart Fred- 
erick boy. He had purchased a condenmed Government 
3iorse for thirteen dollars, with the hope that by careful feed- 
ing he might so improve the animal's condition that lie 



REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H, STEINER. 19 

would command a profit. Food and care, however, proved 
vain. The horse refused to eat for two days, and was mani- 
festly " sinking." A rebel asked the youth if he had a horse 
to sell. " "Well, yes ; I have a very fine horse, worth two 
hundred dollars to any man who can prize a good horse." 

The rebel proposed entering the stable to examine the 
horse. "No sir! he is a spirited animal and might do a 
stranger some injury. Let me bring him out for you." By 
some special stimulus the horse was induced to come out, 
and the proprietor stated that on reflection he would let his 
valuable animal go for eighty dollars in money — not Con- 
federate scrip. The rebel remarked tliat the horse held one 
foot otr the ground, resting the weight of his body on three 
legs. He inquired as to the cause of this phenomenon. 
" Why, Lord bless you ! don't you understand that ? He is 
a natwal racl^er j all natural rackers stand on three legs 
that way — always." The enunciation of this physiological 
law settled the question. The money was paid over. The 
rebel mounted his newly-purchased steed and rode away, 
somewhat to the seller's astonishment. He remarked to the 
by-standers, "I pledge you my word, gentlemen, he will 
last about three quarters of an hour at least. Any other 
gentleman wanting a natural racker can be accommodated at 
the shortest notice, if he will only call on me." 

"Wednesday, September 10. — At four o'clock this morning 
the rebel army began to move from our town, Jackson's 
force taking the advance. The movement continued until 
eight o'clock p.m., occupying sixteen hours. The most liberal 
calculations could not give them more than 64,000 men. 
Over 3,000 negroes must be included in this number. These 
were clad in all kinds of uniforms, not only in cast-off or 
captured United States uniforms, but in coats with Southern 
buttons. State buttons, etc. These were shabby, but not 
shabbier or seedier than those worn by white men in the 



20 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

rebel ranks. Most of the negroes had arms, rifles, muskets, 
sabres, bowie-knives, dirks, etc. Thej were supplied, in 
many instances, with knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, etc., 
and -svere manifestly an integral portion of the Sonthern Con- 
federacy Array. They were seen riding on horses and mules, 
driving wagons, riding on caissons, in ambulances, with the 
staff of Generals, and promiscuously mixed up with all the 
rebel horde. Tlie fact was patent, and rather interesting 
when considered in connection with the horror rebels express 
at the suggestion of black soldiers being employed for the 
National defence. 

Some of the rebel regiments have been reduced to 150 
men ; none number over 500. The men are stout and rag- 
ged, anxious to "kill a Yankee," and firm in their belief 
that Confederate notes are as good as gold. Their marching 
is generally very loose. They marched by the flank through 
the streets of Frederick. Some few houses had rebel flags, 
to which one enthusiastic admirer of secession had added a 
white cross on a red ground. Some handkerchiefs waved, 
but all telt there was no genuine enthusiasm. The movement 
to Frederick had proved a failure. Their friends were anxious 
to get rid of them and of the penetrating ammoniacal smell 
they brought with them. Union citizens had become strong- 
er in their faith. Rebel officers were unanimous in declaring 
that " Frederick was a d — d Union hole." The ill-suppressed 
expressions of delight on the countenances of the citizens 
could not be interpreted into indications of sympathy with 
Secession. They manifested only profound delight at the pros- 
pect of its speedy departure. 

This force had about 150 guns with the letters U. S. This 
rebel army seemed to have been largely supplied with trans- 
portation by some United States Quartermaster. Uncle 
Sam's initials were on many of its wagons, ambulances, and 
horses. One neat spring-wagon was lettered ^'■General Casei/s 



REPORT OP DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 21 

Headquarters.'''' Each regiment was supplied with but one 
or two wagons. The men were mostly without knapsacks ; 
some few carried blankets, and a tooth-hrush was occasionally 
seen pendant from the button-hole of a private soldier, whose 
reminiscences of home-life were not entirely eradicated. 

Their apologies for regimental bands were vile and excru- 
ciating. The only real music in their column to-day was 
from a bugle blown by a negro. Drummers and fifers of 
the same color abounded in their ranks. The men seemed 
generally disinclined to insult our citizens. But there were 
conspicuous exceptions. A drunken, bloated blackguard on 
horseback, for instance, with the badge of a Major-General 
on his collar, understood to be one Howell Cohh^ formiCrly 
Secretary of the United States Treasury, on passing the 
house of a prominent sympathizer with the rebellion, re- 
moved his hat in answer to the waving of handkerchiefs, 
and reining his horse up, called on " his boys "' to give three 
cheers. " Three more, my boys !" and " three more !" Then, 
looking at the silent crowd of Union men on the pavement, 
he shook his fist at them, saying, " Oh you d — d long-faced 
Yankees ! Ladies, take down their names and I M'ill attend 
to them personally when I return." In view of the fact that 
this was addressed to a crowd of unarmed citizens, in the 
presence of a large body of armed soldiery flushed with suc- 
cess, the prudence — to say nothing of the bravery — of these 
remarks, may be judged of by any man of common sense. 

Some of the citizens have been encouraging the Confederate 
soldiers by assuring them of the sj'-mpathy of Maryland, and 
urging them to push on northward with their oftensive opera- 
tions. One gray -haired man, who had escaped from the 
military authorities twelve months since by taking the oath 
of allegiance, was overheard saying to a rebel Colonel, " Make 
them feel the war when you reach Philadelphia." 

Thursday, September 11. — General Hill's division, number- 



22 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

ing about eight thousand men, marched through the streets, 
on their route westward, this morning. This division showed 
more of niilitarv discipline than either of its predecessors ; tlie 
men marched in better order, had better music and were 
fairly clotlied and equipped. This division moves more rapidly 
than either of the others. This was held to indicate the ap- 
proach of the National army. 

Three of the buildings on the hospital grounds were taken 
possession of by the Confederates for the accommodation of 
their sick. These soon threw themselves on the beds, with 
their lilthy clothing and boots. In a few hours a marked con- 
trast could be noticed between the neatness of the wards 
containing the Union soldiers and those occupied by the 
rebels. The secessionists collected the ladies of their order of 
thinking, and, for the first time since the breaking out of the 
rebellion, the fair forms of female secessionists were seen 
within the walls of the Frederick hospital, ministering to the 
wants of suffering humanity. I must confess that they seemed 
to work with a will. The Union ladies, whenever they found 
their supplies more than suflflcientfor our own sick, freely gave 
them to sick rebels. Charity knows neither party nor religious 
creed as a limit to its blessed work. 

Rumors of a strong Federal force moving towards Frederick 
prevailed during the evening. Old and young prayed with 
fervor that these rumors might be based on truth. The Union 
citizens were not harboring vindictive feelings towards their 
secession neighbors, but they longed for the old flag. Bright 
eyes were growing dim and rosy cheeks pale from anxious 
watching, day and night, for the coming of our National army. 
Hope deferred had made the heart sick, but still- it was clung 
to with wondrous tenacity. Dreams of " blue-coats " were the 
attendants of such sleep as mot their eyelids — dreams of a 
liappy restoration to the rights of the old Union. Would they 
never be realized ! 



REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 23 

Friday, September 12. — Stewart's cavalry passed tlirongh 
town to-day, on their way towards Ilagcrstown. It is said to 
be composed of Ashby's Cavalry and the Hampton Legion. 
The men are more neat and cleanly than the infantry that 
preceded them, and their horses, of good stock, are well- 
groomed and fed. Bragging is the order of the day with the 
cavalry. They boast that they never met more than one Fed- 
eral regiment that dared to cross sabres with them, and that 
was the First Michigan Cavahy. Stewart has been visiting 
some of onr sympathizers with the rebellion. Meeting Hospi- 
tal Steward Fitzgerald, he asked him to state to the com- 
manding officer of the Federal troops that might come to 
Frederick, that he would inflict severe punishment on Union 
men, wherever he could find them, if any punishment was 
meted out to the Southern sympathizers in Frederick by such 
officer. The steward answered that he, as a warrant-officer of 
the United States Army, could carry no such message, and 
suggested that General Stewart should remain to deliver it 
himself. The General did 7iot act on this suggestion. 

The joyous news at last reached town that the Federal 
troops w^ere near at hand. Union people looked up their 
National flags. Two companies of Stewart's men, still in town, 
were stationed at the intersection of Market and Patrick 
streets. Cannonading was heard in the distance. Hearts were 
beating with joyous expectation. Our Union citizens were 
assembling at difl'erent points, discussing the probable results 
of the skirmish then taking place. It was evident that noth- 
ing more than a skirmish would take place, for the enemy, 
notwithstanding his boast that our troops would not meet him 
in a fair flght, was retreating westward towards the mountains. 
The advance cavalry of our National Army charged into our 
streets, driving the rebels before them. They were met by a 
counter-charge of Stewart's men, made in grand style. Saddles 
were emptied on both sides. Stewart's men fell back, carrying 



24 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

with them seven of our men as prisoners, and leaving many 
of their own men wounded on the ground. Tlie accidental 
discharire of a cannon caused tlie death of seven horses and 
tlie wounding of a few men. Martial music is lieard in the 
distance ; a regiment of Ohio volunteers makes its appearance 
and is hailed with most enthusiastic demonstrations of joy. 
Handkerchiefs are waved, flags are thrown from Union 
houses, and a new life appears infused into tlie people. Burn- 
side enters amid vociferous plaudits fron\ every one, and the 
citizens, with enthusiastic eagerness, devote themselves to 
feeding the troops and welcoming them to their houses, as 
their true deliverers from a bondage more debasing than that 
of the African slave. 

A little incident connected with the charge referred to is 
worthy of note. Tiie wife of one of our prominent Union men 
threw out the ISTational flag from her window just as Stewart's 
men dashed by the house. It seemed peculiarly fitting that a 
member of the Washington family should first unfurl her 
country's banner as our victorious troops entered a place 
which had been infested with the armed supporters of treason. 

Saturday, September 13. — The town was effervescent with 
joy at the arrival of tlie Union troops, — no business was done. 
Every one felt jubilant, and congratulated himself and neigh- 
bor that tlie United States troops were once more in posses- 
sion. General McClellan with his staff rode through, about 
nine o'clock, and was received on all sides with the most un- 
limited expressions of delight. Old and young shouted witli 
joy ; matrons held their babes towards him as their deliverer 
from the rule of a foreign army, and fair young ladies rushed 
to meet him on the streets, some even throwing their arms 
around his horse's neck. It was a scene ditiicult to realize in 
this matter-of-fact age, but deep-seated feelings of gratitude 
found expression in every possible form. The reality of the 
joy constituted the poetry of the reception. Years of obloq^uy 



REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 2o 

and reproach might have been considered compensated for 
by such a reception. The army, as well as its loved general, 
was Avelcomed with enthusiasm. To Frederick belongs the 
high honor of having given the first decided, enthusiastic, 
whole-souled reception which the Army had met since its 
olhcers and men had left their families and homes to fight the 
battles of their country. It is true that companies and regi- 
ments on their way to join the Army had been received with 
shouts of approval in the towns through which they passed, 
but the Army, as such, had always trudged along its accus- 
tomed line of duty without one word from the people in the 
way of satisfaction or commendation. But in Frederick it was 
received as a band of brothers, fio-hting for the welfare of the 
whole country and, whether successful or unsuccessful, en- 
titled to the warmest demonstrations of good feeling possible. 

Amid all this, there was exhibited no vindictive feeling 
towards the secession citizens of the town. Ko arrests were 
made of so-called Southern s^nnpatliizers. Many of these 
were disgusted with their friends of tlie Southern Army, and 
not at all displeased that they had left Frederick and had 
been followed by the strong arm of the United States Gov- 
ernment. 

In the afternoon I found McClellan with a lai-ge portion of 
his army encamped on my farm, west of Frederick. The 
nature of the camp and its arrangements prevented one form- 
ing any other conclusion than that it was a bivouac and only 
intended for temporarj^ occupation. Some onward movement 
of the Army was evidently already in contemphition, but 
what it might be was kept concealed in the breast of the 
General commanding. 

Remarks on the Condition of the Rebels. — One thing 
may bo said with perfect truth of the Rebel army, and that 
is, but few stragglers are left behind as they march through 



26 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

the countiy. Depredations on private property in this neigh- 
borhood have been comparatively rare. This is understood 
to be tlie result of some very stringent rules adopted by Gen- 
eral Lee with special reference to the invasion of Maryland. 
Some of our men have been less scrupulous in their treatment 
of private property. Teamsters, who seem to fear neither 
man nor God, are found committing depredations on all 
sides. This evil might be suppressed if teamsters were en- 
listed men and subjected to military punishments. I do not 
know what the rule is in foreign service, but it is manifest 
that the management of this class of men would be compar- 
atively easy, were they placed under the same laws that 
govern the rest of our Army. 

The experience of one week with the Rebel Army satisfies 
me that the men are in a high state of discipline and have 
learned implicit obedience. AYhen separated from their offi- 
cers they do not show the same self-reliance that our men 
possess, — do not seem able to discuss with intelligent ease the 
political subjects which claim every man's attention at this 
time. All of them show a lack of energy and spirit, a want 
of thrift and cleanliness, which are altogether paradoxical to 
our men. A constant fear of their officers is associated with 
their prompt obedience of orders. Many, while they ex- 
pressed their contempt for " the Yankees," would lament the 
war and express a desire to throw down their arms and re- 
turn to their homes, if they could only do this without mo- 
lestation. Jackson's name was always mentioned with a 
species of veneration, and his orders were obeyed with a 
slavish obedience unsurpassed by that of Russian serfs. 

The men generally looked sturdy when in ranks, yet a 
cachectic expression of countenance prevailed, which could 
not be accounted for entirely by the unwaslied faces that 
were, from necessity or choice, the rule. Those who have 
fallen into our hands show worn-out constitutions, disordered 



KEPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 27 

digestions and a total lack of vital stamina. They do not 
bear pain with any fortitnde, and their constitutions seem to 
have very little power of resistance to disease. The rate of 
raortalitA' in tlio rebel sick and wounded is double or treble 
that found in the Hospitals containing our men. 

In point of professional ability, their medical officers vary 
very much. Some few are men of superior talent, but many 
are without either professional knowledge or social culture. 
Constant association with hardship and suffering may have 
made them callous to the appeals of their patients, but this 
excuse will hardly justify the neglect which some of them 
show towards the sick. As to medical supplies they rely 
largely upon captures, upon confisGating whatever they meet 
with on their marches, and upon paying for medicines with 
the worthless rags they call Confederate notes. With such 
uncertain sources for their supplies, the imperfections of their 
medical and surgical treatment cannot be severely censured. 

Sunday, September l-itli. — Major-General Banks' corps d'ar- 
mee, commanded by Brigadier-General A. S. Williams passed 
through town this morning on its way to tlie front. The men 
were in the best possible spirits, all eager for the fray. They 
are fighting now for and among people who appreciate their 
labors, and who welcome them as brothers. Brigadier-General 
Gordon said that " the reception of the troops by the citizens 
of this place was equal to a victory in its effects upon the men 
of his command." The veteran troops were all in vigorous 
health, and the new levies made up of strong, athletic men, 
whose intelligent faces beamed with strong desire to press 
rapidly upon the retreating foe. We had never greater reason 
to be proud of our army. 

During the afternoon of the day, the memorable engagement 
at the South Mountain Pass took place, in which our new 
levies vied with the veterans in pressing the Confederates up 
the side of the mountain, and then over into the valley be- 



28 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

yond. Our military commanders will bear testimony, in 
proper form, to the heroic courage shown by our army in this 
well-fonght action. The rebels had tried to make a stand at 
several points on the road prior to tliis engagement, but were 
gallantly driven forwards by our troops. 

On "Wednesday the great battle of Antietam was fought, 
with such a display of strategy and power on the part of our 
General, and of heroism and daring from our men, that the 
enemy was glad to resign all hopes of entering Pennsylvania, 
and to withdraw his forces across the Potomac. A £:reat vie- 
tory had been gained ; the enemy had been driven from loyal 
soil, ajid McClellan had shown himself worthy of the love, 
(amounting almost to adoration,) which his troops expressed 
on all sides. 

The battles fought at South Mountain and Antietam opened 
up an extensive field of operations for the Sanitary Commis- 
sion. This had been anticipated at the Central Office, and 
Inspectors Andrew, Chamberlain, and Smith had accompa- 
nied the army on its march from AVashinirton, with wagons 
furnished with such articles as were most essential in the emer- 
gency. After a few days of duty in the front, Inspector Smith 
returned to Washington, and Inspector Andrew was assigned 
to duty in the hospitals at Fredei'ick. His interesting report, 
showing how efficient was the aid sent forward by the Com- 
mission, and how admirably the duty assigned him was per- 
formed, is inserted as a part of this report. 



Dk. Lewis H. Steiner, Sanitary Inspector, 

Sup't Operations of U. S. Sanitary Commission in K Md. 

Sir^—ln accordance with your request, I hand you herewith 
a brief account of so much of my labor in the service of the 



REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 29 

Sanitary Commission as is connected with the march and suc- 
ceeding battles of the army during its September campaign in 
Maryland. 

On Sunday, Septembei- 7th, then being in Washington, I 
was requested to start immediately, in company with Dr. W. 
M. Chamberlain, with a wagon load of such supplies as would 
be most necessary on the march, and in the event of an en- 
gagement. Our instructions were to accompany the arm}^, 
and to be ready to render such aid as might be necessary, — • 
not only to the really sick and wounded, but to the feeble and 
to those who were in dansfcr of fallins: out of the ranks from 
exhaustion and the want of timely support. Our powers were 
mainly discretionary, and our wagon was to be regarded 
merely as the "avant courier" of stores to follow, — the supply 
only to be liniited by the demand. On Mouday morning we 
came up with the advance corps two miles north of Uockville, 
an.d started on Tuesday with tlie army in motion. At the 
close of the day's march I rode along such portion of the line 
as was accessible, ascertained the wants of the army and sup- 
plied such as were pressing. It was l"ound, on this occasion 
and afterwards, that the army hud borne its march so well 
that there was little necessity for drawing upon the stores 
of the Commission, which became more valuable as we in- 
creased the distance from our base of supplies. On many oc- 
casions, however, small supplies of restoratives were of con- 
siderable service. At Damascus, on the 12th, we were joined 
by Dr. Smith with another wagon load of supplies, and Dr. 
Chamberlain was relieved. A battle being considered near 
at hand. Dr. Chamberlain concluded to remain with the expe- 
dition, and accompanied us as far as Frederick, which city we 
reached on the evening of the 13th. Finding that the enemy 
had evacuated Frederick without a serious contest, Dr. C, 
having important private business in New York, left the train, 
now increased by the arrival of Mr. Mitchell with two army 



30 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

wagons. Sunday morning tlie memorable 14th was nshercd 
in by heavy firing in the direction of the retreat of the enemy. 
Learning from past experience the difficulty of passing wagons 
along roads crowded with army trains, I procured the privi- 
lege of attaching the wagon driven by myself (the driver fur- 
nished me was worse than worthless) to an ambulance train, 
and leaving the balance of the train to be brought tlu'ough by 
Mr. Mitchell, I started, accompanied by Dr. Smith, and with a 
selected load of supplies for the battle-field. The jiasses across 
the Catoctin range of mountains were so crowded Avith troops, 
artillery, ammunition, supply, and ambulance trains, that 
darkness came on before we commenced the ascent of the 
mountain, four miles from Frederick, by the "!New CutRoad." 
The firing had been unceasing during the day, and doubting 
not that our supplies were needed, the endeavor to reach the 
front was persevered in, and accordingly, we reached Middle- 
ton at half-past one o'clock on the morning of the 15th. We 
found the hospitals alreadj'- established in the churches and 
schoolhouses crowded with the wounded of the battle of South 
Mountain, and ambulance trains were still coming in. The 
people of the village had been most kind, and had materially 
aided in caring for our brave soldiers; furnishing food, and 
tearing up sheets, table cloths, and body clothes for bandages 
and dressings. We iuMnediately distributed a sufficiency of 
beef-stock, and other concentrated food, whiskey, brandy, 
bandages, etc., to meet immediate necessities. In the morning 
we found Medical Director Letterman and delivered over to 
him the contents of the wagons left at Frederick and to arrive 
that day, and, witli the remainder of the stores on hand, started 
for the battle-field four or five miles distant. The rebels had, 
in their retreat, burned the bridge across the Catoctin near 
Middleton. It was not until afternoon that I succeeded in 
crossing that stream, and it was nearly sunset when I reached 
the line of field hospitals in the vicinity of the "Stone Church," 



REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 31 

filled with those who were wounded along the right of our 
line. Keeping still in view the smallness of the supply imme- 
diately in my hands, and the transitory character of lield hos- 
])itals, I issued only for their ])resent necessities; and, worn 
out with an amount of labor and excitement surpassing any- 
thing in my former experience, I spent a few hours of fitful 
slumber in the wagon. 

Frequent firing during the day following the battle of 
South Mountain, indicated with sufiicient clearness that sup- 
plies would he needed further on. I accordingly hired a horse 
of a farmer near the '• Stone Church," packed the remainder 
of the stimulants in a bag, and a quantity of beef stock and 
bandages in another, threw them over the saddle, and started 
for the next battle-field. I arrived in Keedysville early in 
the afternoon, took a room in the house of Christian Keedy, 
and awaited the battle of the next day. Early on the 
17th the wounded began to arrive from the field of Antie- 
tani, just beyond, and after witnessing a portion of the battle, 
and distributing the much-needed stores among the surgeons 
— hearing nothing of the wagons to arrive — I started in 
search of them at three o'clock p. m. Exchanged at the 
South Mountain my hired horse for the team I had left the 
day before, and arrived at Middletown after sunset. I here 
ascertained that the wagons which had been left at Frederick 
had arrived and emptied their contents into the store-room 
of the Medical Purveyor, and was very happy to meet Mr. 
Piatt with two additional wagon loads of supplies. There 
being a greater quantity of supplies in the store-house than 
were needed for hnmediate use in Middletown, I procured an 
order for a portion of those, and loading my wagon, started 
again, this time in company with Dr. Smith and Messrs. Piatt 
and Fay, and three wagon loads of supplies, at ten o'clock 
p. M. for Keedysville. Immediately after breakfast, on the 
morning of the 18th, the day after the battle, the bulk of 



32 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

tliese stores was placed at the disposal of the proper medical 
authorities, and as soon thereafter as possible the surgeons 
along the entire line of field hospitals were notified of their 
arrival, and of the proper mode of procuring them. This last 
work was kindly undertaken hj Medical Director Letterman^ 
and faithfully performed by his assistants. The contents of 
the third wagon were reserved for such special distribution as 
the personal inspection of those acting for the Sanitary Com- 
mission might show to be specially necessary. These were 
all given out during the day, except a small reserve, which 
was carried back the next morning and issued to the hospitals 
in Boonsborough. 

Tlie work in this special department entrusted to my 
charge was now accomplished. The field was fully occupied, 
or soon would be, by agents of the Commission competent to 
the investigation of demands, and to the work of supplying 
them. Our observation and experience had shown the 
necessities of the field, and abundant stores were on their 
way to meet them, leaving me at liberty to resume my labors 
in the department of hospital and camp inspection. 
Ilespectfully submitted, 

GEORGE L. ANDREW, Sanitary Inspector. 
Frederick, Md., Oct. 3, 1862. 



On Sunday (Sept, 14,) Mr. Mitchell arrived in Frederick 
with two wagon loads of supplies, which were dispatched to 
the front in charge of Mr. Piatt, Mr. Mitchell himself follow- 
ing on Tuesday with supplies that had arrived from Washing- 
ton on a car under the charge of Mr. Clark. Arrangements 
were made to transmit the supplies as fast as they might 
arrive in Frederick, and our wao^ons, in charge of intelligent 
gentlemen, were forwarded to Middletown, Boonsborough, 
Keedysville and Sharpsburg, reporting either to the medical 



REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER, 33 

officers of the local hospitals, or to the Medical Director of 
the Army of the Potomac, Dr. Letterman. In this connec- 
tion I may say that every aid was given by Dr. L. towards 
furthering the grand design of furnishing succor and relief to 
the wounded. 

With a view of showing the nature of the annoyances 
attendant upon the transportation of our stores from Wash- 
ington, and the work done by the gentlemen in charge, the 
reports of Thomas H. Hays, and W. Piatt, Junior, are given 
in Appendix !No. 1. and 'No. 2. 

To illustrate tlie alacrity with which the call for aid was 
answered, and the energy with which obstacles were over- 
borne, let me refer to the following extract of a letter addressed 
to the Eev. Dr. Bellows, under date, " Mt, Airy, near the 
Potomac, beyond Sliarpsburg, September 26th." 

" It has been my duty awdi privilege to be the first to see all 
the wounded, and to make records of all the hospitals and 
depots of the wounded. My report of this work will be made 
simultaneously to you and to the Medical Director, and will 
be of some avail in silencing the carpers who have been ex- 
citing the sympathies of the people by narrating tales of woe 
and false assertions of official neglect of the wounded here. 
True, there has been suffering, but none that I could not, or 
that a soldier should not expect to endure after such a conflict. 
I have carefully read the history of Military surgery and can 
boldly assert that never before in the history of armies has there 
been a great battle between such immense forces, with such 
numbers of killed and wounded, in which the surgical pro- 
visions or medical supplies have been so ample or so promptly 
applied. 

" By a forced ride on horseback from Frederick I reached the 
Antietam on Friday at daybreak and immediately proceeded 
along the line of the left wing of our forces, nearly to the 
3 



34: THE SANITARY COMMISSIOI^. 

Potomac, and tlience across the extensive fields of the battle- 
ground, visiting every depot of wounded and killed until, on 
Sunday evening, I had seen all except three depots off the 
right of our forces. I may here state, that so late as ten o'clock, 
A. M., on Sunday, I found unvisited and unknown depots of 
small companies of wounded men, and that in one place so 
visited that morning I had the pleasure of finding and remov- 
ing to a hospital four noble men, who, for two days and two 
nights previous to the flight of the enemy, had been compelled 
to remain at the wheels of a battery, and upon the earth, un- 
covered, unfed, and utterly neglected. One of these men is a 
captain, and an educated and wealthy merchant. 

" As late as Sunday evening I found two depots with ninety 
wounded rebels yet unvisited and in greatest need. 

"The train of ambulances which liad been given me for the 
use of the Satutary Commission, with supplies from our depot 
at Sharpsburg, enabled me to meet all such wants, and a 
number of volunteer surgeons at headquarters were in each 
case on hand to render surgical aid. 

" Previous to the arrival of sufficient supplies our sympathies 
were kept at a fervid heat, but the fact that all that was re- 
ceived was applied as soon as it came to the field, and to those 
who were most in need, kept all in hopeful spirits and satisfied 
the most captious lookers-on. 

" The Sanitary Commission could not have done more work 
with the means at its command ; and it will become an historic 
fact that, within eight days from the occupancy of this field of 
' the Waterloo of America,' by our forces, nearly all the 
wounded have received ample supplies of hospital clothing 
from the depots of the Sanitary Commission and, the Medical 
Purveyor. And nnich of this result is due to the wisdom of 
the Executive Committee in providing independent and 
special transportation for the supplies that our patriotic 
women had, with wonderful forecast, accumulated a,t the de- 
pots of the Sanitary Commission. 



REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 3a 

" Let me say, in closing this hasty letter, that the privilege 
of laboring in this work more than rewards any sacrifices a 
man can make of his own interests. The loss of all things, 
even of life itself, would be sweet if balanced against such 
labors of relief. 

" I will briefly add that the Medical Department of this 
army has neglected no means of relief or supply. The unpre- 
cedented requisition that was sent forward by the Surgeon 
General on the night I left 3'ou was barely enough. Hoping 
to meet you soon I remain sincerely yours, 

"ELISHA HARKIS." 



Drs. Agnew and Harris succeeded in establishing a store- 
house of the Commission at Sharpsbiirg, shortly after the 
battle of Antietam. Our wagons Avere unloaded at this place 
and thence sent to every point where the wounded had been 
collected. The superintendence of this storehouse was assign- 
ed to Dr. E. J. Dunning of New York, who devoted his time 
and energies to the work for nearly two weeks, aided by a 
large staff of zealous and active assistants. As the Medical 
Department had been disappointed in the arrival of its 
stores, — the concentrated food, stimulants and clothing, which 
the liberality of the charitable people of the llTorth had 
placed at the disposal of the Commission, were issued to the 
Hospitals that had been extemporized at every barn and 
farmhouse within three miles of Sharpsburg. ]^o question 
was asked as to the State of the regiment of the sufferer, but 
a Catholic and National spirit, recognizing all as entitled to 
the benefit of our supplies, controlled the operations of those 
connected with the issue of articles from the storehouse. Our 
suppl}' of chloroform was the main dependence for many 
hours at some of the Hospitals. The medical oflicers of the 



36 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

Army united with our officers in tlie proper disposal of our 
supplies, and I am pleased to state that the true relation of 
the Sanitary Coimnission to the Medical Department was 
fullj recognized and appreciated as a body designed to sup- 
plement and not swpplant the regular operations of the 
Army. 

On Sunday, 21st, I visited the front in company with Dr. 
H. G. Clark, (Boston, Mass.) whose valuable services on 
several occasions have been placed at the command of the 
Commission, and Dr. Carney. From personal examination 
of the plans of relief adopted by the officers of the Com- 
mission I can bear full testimony to their priceless value 
to the wounded men in all the Hosj^itals. I may state that, 
in addition to the regular force located at Sharpsburg, I also 
met Inspector Chamberlain at one of the field Hospitals with 
some supplies that had been forwarded from Philadelphia 
via Hagerstown. A second visit, in company with Mr. Olm- 
sted on the 25th, satisfied me that the storehouse had become 
" an institution " of such importance to the medical officers 
that its continuance would be necessary for some time to 
come. I therefore put Inspector Crane in charge on the 
29th. He had been engaged for some days before in push- 
ing forward the Philadelphia supplies from Hagerstown. 
Inspector Brinck was also on duty at this point for a few 
days and then reported for duty in "Washington. 

With the view of showing the nature and extent of our 
supplies, I may quote from a letter written by Mr. Olmsted 
to Dr. Bellows on the 23d ult., the statement that within ten 
days after the Army of Virginia went to meet the invaders, 
the Commission sent to its relief " 28,763 pieces of dry goods, 
shirts, towels, bedticks, pillows, &c. ; 30 barrels of old linen 
bandages and lint ; 3,188 pounds farina ; 2,620 pounds con- 
densed milk ; 5,000 pounds beef stock and canned meats ; 
3,000 bottles wine and cordials, and several tons of lemons 



REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 37 

and other fruit, crackers, tea, sugar, rubber clotb, tin cups 
and hospital conveniences." 

[Tables showing the precise requisitions made by surgeons on tlie stores of 
the Commission are omitted as taking too much space.] 

In addition to these issues, the Commission succeeded in 
transporting, from the Medical Purveyor's Office in Kew 
York to the depot in Frederick, 83 cases containing 4,000 sets 
of hospital clothing and 20 bales of blankets, at a cost of 
$316,58. Transportation was so embarrassed and crowded 
at this time that these stores were got through in season only 
by the energy of the Executive Committee in dispatching 
special agents to take charge of them, at its own expense. 
As soon as these stores reached this depot they were turned 
over to the Medical Department and issued as fast as requi- 
sitions were sent in. 

The force now representing the Commission and at work 
in this part of Maryland is as follows : 

'Lewis H. Steiner, M. D., San. Ins. and Supt., 
George L. Andrew, M. D., San. Inspector, 
Frederick, -{ Horace Howard Furness, Esq., ) 

I Mr. Atherton Blight, >• Assistants. 

l^Mr. Edwin K. Cornwall, ) 

fE. A. Crane, M. D., San. Inspector. 
Mr. Clampitt, ) 
Mr. Watson, >■ Assistants. 
Mr. Parsons, j 



Sharpsburg, 



Large supplies have been issued from the Frederick depot 
to the Llospitals in Frederick and its neighborhood. The 
requisitions on which these were issued have been tabulated 
with the following results. (See Tables M, N, O, P.) 

[These details are omitted as too bulky.] 
-If ■«■ * -X- * * 

The late battles have shown how important it is that a 
certain amount of transportation should be under the exclu- 



38 THE SANITARY COMMISSION". 

sive control of the Medical Department. Immediately after 
an engagement, there has always been a difficulty in getting 
medical and hospital supplies to the places where they are 
most needed. Subsistence for the well soldiers, and ord- 
nance, generally monopolize all the transportation in posses- 
sion of the Quartermaster. The Medical Department is for- 
gotten and practically thrust aside. 

A deficiency of regular militarj^ surgical assistance after a 
great battle is inevitable. The Commission seeks to supply the 
want by details made from the private practitioners of our large 
cities. Heretofore demands for aid of this hind have been 
responded to by a rush of professional volunteers, some good 
and reliable, some inexperienced and unreliable. Hence there 
have been instances of treatment tVir from creditable to surgi- 
cal science or advantageous to the patient. This might be 
obviated by tlie selection of a certain number of experienced 
surgeons, who would be willing to respond to such calls, and 
in whom the utmost reliance might be placed by the medical 
officers, wliose aids they would be for the time being. Our 
soldiers are willing to brave death on the battle-field ; let them 
not be obliged to brave inexperienced and ignorant surgery 
beside. Too many practitioners, styling themselves " active 
rtie.n^'' hasten to the field, not with the view of assisting in what- 
ever may require aid, but for the purpose of " operating^^ — of 
fleshing unsoiled blades. With such men conservative surgery 
is an unmeaning word. The reserve corps of volunteer sur- 
geons might be formed under the auspices of the Medical 
Bureau, or of the Sanitary Commission. The necessity of such 
an organization is urgent, as a statement made me by a med- 
ical officer engaged at the Confederate hospital near Sharps- 
burg will clearl}'- show. He states that when a number of the 
volunteer surgeons proposed returning home, Dr. Rauch, (sur- 
geon in charge of the hospital,) objected on account of the 
number of cases requiring constant attention. The answer 



EEPOET OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 89 

■was, " We have done up all the amputations and resections, 
and there is no farther need of our services." My informant 
proceeded to examine the cases that had been attended and 
operated on by those verj^ medical men, and found recently 
amputated stumps filled with maggots and pus, and patients in 
a condition of unhealtliiness and depression that showed utter 
negligence on the part of their medical attendants. 

A number of self-styled " Commissions,"* Relief Societies, 
Charitable Associations andPhihinthropic Clubs have been rep- 
resented on the field and in the hospitals since the late engage- 
ments. Their agents have been actuated by the best motives. 
They have doubtless done some good. A few of them have 
drawn from our own stores, and at times employed our own 
means of transportation, but have never acknowledged either, 
although they have received special commendation for their 
labors from the press. A spirit of State charity, seeking out 
not wounded Federal soldiers, but the wounded from their 
own special State, or even their own special county or town, 
has guided these organizations, Tliey have thus done positive 
mischief to the National cause. 

Instead of laboring to destroy tlie spirit of State Rights, 
which, in various forms, seems to underlie tlie whole of the 
Rebellion, they have furnished incentives for its preservation. 
"We demand that the soldier should be well cared-for, not be- 
cause he is from Massachusetts, ISTew York, Ohio, or any other 
State, but because he is in the United States Army. We 

* The word " Commission" has been strangely misused of late. A " Commis- 
sion" is a body of men commissioned by Government to make certain inquiries 
or do certain work. We have Military Commissions, for instance, appointed to 
investigate the surrender of Harper's Ferr}-, and to report on the merits of new 
projectiles, and a "Sanitary Commission" to aid Government in preserving the 
health and eflficiency of our soldiers. The Sanitary Commission introduced the 
word into popular favor, and it is now generally used as a vague, indefinite 
synonj-m of " Committee." Hence we have so-called " Commissions" without end, 
none of which possess the authority from Government and the relations with 
Government that give meaning and value to the title they assume. 



40 THE SANITARY COMMISSION". 

feel it 0111* duty to bring aid to any and every soldier 
in the army. His highest claim to onr attention and sympa- 
thy being the fact that he is there. 

Hon. Frank B. Fay and Miss Helen L. Gilson, (Chelsea, 
Mass.,) liave been laboring witli untiring zeal and most earn- 
est fidelity at or nearKeedysville, since the battle of Antietam, 
and Mr. C. B. Barclay, of Philadelphia, has been actively en- 
gaged wherever want and suffering were greatest. These 
philanthropic patriots are examples worthy of all imitation on 
the part of those who aim to keep the good deeds which their 
right hands do from the knowledge of the world. I am 
pleased to record their names as among those whose labors 
have been more or less aided by the supplies which the Com- 
mission kept on hand in its store houses. 

lu concluding this Report I have to acknowledge myself 
indebted to the Central Office for its prompt attention to tele- 
grams ordering supplies ; to Mr. Olmsted for his advice and 
interest in my field of labor ; to Drs. Agnew and Harris for 
faithful and earnest attention to the immediate wants of the 
Field Hospitals around Sharpsburg ; and to Mr.W. Piatt, Jr., 
of Philadelphia, for one entire week of invaluable ser- 
vice, in conveying supplies to the field, and aiding in the 
general duties of the Frederick office. It is proper 
that the name of this pure-hearted, Christian patriot should 
be honored in connection with our labors in the Maryland 
campaign, as he contracted the seeds of disease while on duty 
there that, in a few weeks afterwards, ended his life of useful- 
ness,' — as truly offered up in the cause of his country as if he 
had been killed on the battle field. 

With great respect, your obedient servant, 

LEWIS H. STEINER, 

,^ San. Inspector. 



APPEJSTD IX. 



No. I. 

Report ofW. Platt, Jux., in charge of tlie Expedition icitli supplies from 
Washington to the Battlefield of Antietam. 

Dr, J. Foster jENicrNS : 

Dear Sir, — In pursuance of your request of IStli inst., I went with the 
four-liorse team of Hos23ital Stores on the way to Rockville, arriving 
there at nine r. m. There were no sick on tlie way and few stragglers. 
I found the Hospital at Rockville under the charge of Surgeon Lewis, 
U. S. A., with about 325 patients, most of them light cases. Mrs. Harris 
was also there with some stores. They were in want of some few arti- 
cles, such as bed-sacks, tin cups, biscuit, &c., which we left with them. 

September 14. — Started at 10 a. m., and went eighteen miles, stopping 
frequently to relieve sick stragglers, who were becoming quite numerous. 

15th. — Started at 6 a. m., and reached Frederick at 11 a. m., and re- 
ported to Dr. Spencer, who requested us to proceed in the afternoon to 
Middletown and deliver the remainder of our supplies to Dr. Thompson, 
in charge of the hospital there, and meanwhile to leave at Frederick 
such articles as were wanted. "We left at Frederick a few stimulants, 
and reached Middletown at 7 p. m., and left the remainder of the load. 

16th. — Returned to Frederick and took the team to the Junction, 
loaded it from a car, and delivered it at the hospital at Frederick, and 
the wagon was returned to Washington. 

17th. — Loaded the wagon belonging to the Commission, and a four- 
mule team with stores from a car at the junction, after much delay, 
owing to the great number of cars on the road, and went to Middletown, 
arriving at 9 p. m., and were joined byDrs. Andrew and Smith, and Mr. 
F. Fay, with another team; proceeded at 11 p. m. to Boonsboro', and 
thence to Keedysville, where we halted for the night, (one mile this 
side,) and arrived at headquarters, near that j)lace, at 9 o'clock on the 
18th, Thursday. It was decided by Drs. Letterman, Smith and Andrew 
that the supplies (the first received) should be distributed among the 
hospitals at headquarters, the greater part at the outer station where 
many wounded were being brought in. This was satisfactorily accom- 
plished, and requisitions from various Brigades were tilled, and at 5 
p. M. we started to return, arriving on 19th, at 6 A. ji. at Frederick, and 
were cjuite unsuccessful in getting further supplies from the car which 
should have been up the day before. 

20th. — The ear not yet arrived ; but there w«re 50 ambulances with 



42 APPENDIX, 

wouuded, wliich had been from some unaccountable cause kept waiting 
for twenty-four hours. These men needed much attention in having their 
bandages renewed and moistened, and in being helped into a train, which 
had at last been prepared for them — all which occupied me for several 
hours. There is much to be done at Frederick in attending to the wants 
of these jJarties of wounded and sick, and I earnestly call your attention 
to it. 

24th. — From the 20th to 24th I have been occui)ied in regulating the 
movements of trains and acting for thirty-six hours in Dr. Stciner's 
j)lace. 

I also call your attention to the superior facilities afforded by the rail- 
road in j^lacing your supplies where they are wanted, in economy both 
of time and money. 

Yery respectfully yours, 

W. PLATT, Ju>T. 



IS^o. II. 

At a meeting of the Philadelphia Associates of the United States San- 
itary Commission, held on the 26th November the following resolutions 
were unanimously adojoted. 

Hesolved, That the Philadelphia Associates of the Sanitary Commis- 
sion have learned, with the deeiJest sorrow, the death of their late most 
faithful superintendent, William Piatt, Jr., Esquire, who fell a victim to 
disease contracted on the battle fields of Maryland, in the service of the 
Commission, and in the discharge of the highest duties of humanity and 
patriotism. 

Besohed, That the Associates desire to record their high apprecia- 
tion of the character of Mr. Piatt, and of his invaluable labors in the 
cause of the Sanitary Commission. 

Accepting the invitation of the Executive Committee, in June last, to 
undertake the superintendence of the business of the Philadelphia agen- 
cy, Mr. Piatt devoted all the force of a highly energetic, though gentle 
character, to the discharge of the duties of his post. Giving his whole 
time, and applying remarkable vigor to the business of the agency, he 
soon brought it to a state of efficiency not previously reached, while his 
judicious and effective applications to the friends of the Commission 
brought its claims under general notice in Philadelphia, and rapidly filled 
its treasury, so that the contributions, which, on his entering on his of- 
fice in June last, were but eight thousand dollars, had, at the time of 
his death, in November, exceeded the sum of forty thousand dollars, an 
Increase which the associates ascribe almost wholly to the labors of Mr i 
Piatt, and of an agent of his own designation. 

All the services of Mr. Piatt were rendered gratuitously. When the 



APPENDIX. 43 

battles in Maryland were imijcnding in September last, I\Ir. Piatt Last- 
ened to "Washington, and A^olunteered to take cliarge of a wagon train 
of hospital stores, for use in tlie field. Visiting and supplying the hos- 
l^itals at Rockville, Frederick, and Middletown, and reinforced with 
other supplies forwarded by the Commission, he left ^Middlctown at 11 
o'clock at night, on the 17th of Sei)tember, and proceeded with his train 
of wagons to Boonsborough, and thence to Keedysville, and ari'ived at 
the headquarters of the army at 9 o'clock the next morning. His own 
modest official report of his services omits mention of the fact that, as 
he came within sound of the cannon, he quickened his speed, driving 
the leading wagon himself, and, when darkness threatened to delay the 
train, he left it and walked in advance, carrying a lantern, and compel- 
ling the reluctant drivers to follow. 

The supplies of the Commission thus brought to the battle field by 
Mr. Piatt anticipated those forwarded by the Government, and were at 
once distributed by the medical director and surgeons of the army, to 
the unspeakable relief of the suflferers. 

But Mr. Piatt's earnestness was not satisfied with mere direction and 
supervision. On the 20th September, as the ambulances appeared bring- 
ing the sufferers from the bloody battle field of Antietam, but unaccom- 
panied by competent assistance for their removal, Mr. Piatt gave himself 
up for a long time to this arduous service, carrying the wounded in his 
arms to places of shelter, and there rendering them the tendcrest offices of 
a nurse. Thus engrossed, he overtasked himself, and through fatigue 
and exposure contracted the disease which, on the 22d of November, 
brought to a close, in his 37th year, his short but well spent life. 

To those who knew and loved him in the relations of private life, and 
particularly as an active member of the church which he adorned by a 
consistent Christian conversation, no public record is needed of his 
modest virtues. But as he fell in the service of his country — a willing- 
offering in the noblest cause— his life has become part of its i)ublic his- 
tory, and it is, therefore. 

Resolved, That the Philadelphia Associates of the Sanitary Commission 
desire to perpetuate their estimate of the services and worth of their 
late friend and officer by some enduring memorial, and they therefore 
most respectfully request the ffimily of Mr. Piatt, and the vestry of St. 
Thomas's Church, "Whitemarsh, (of which he was warden,) to allow them 
to erect in that Church a mural tablet to his memory. 

Resolved, That the foregoing Resolutions be communicated to the fam- 
ily of Mr. Piatt, and to the vestry of St. Thomas's Church, with the as- 
surance of the most sincere sympathy of the Associates in their loss. 

Resolved, That the foregoing Resolutions be published. 

HORACE BINKEY, Jn., CnAiRiiAN. 

Edwakd Hartshokn, Secretary. 



Erratum. — Page 35, Gth line from bottom of page, for the words " of the regiment '" 
read " or the regimeut," 



EEPOKT 

OF 

LEWIS H. STEINER, M.D., 



CONTAINING A 



DIARY 

KEPT 

.DURING THE REBEL OCCUPATION OF FREDERICK, MD. 

AND 

AN ACCOUNT OF THE OPERATIONS 

OF 

THE U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION 

DURING 

THE CAMPAIGN IN MARYLAND, 
SEPTEMBER, 1802. 
Publisijtl) is p*tmij5Bion of t{)« Sanitary Commission. 



NEW YORK : 
ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH, 

No. 683 BROADWAY. 
1862, 



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